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Trip Report 10/24 through 10/27

Well, another extended weekend is over and already thinking about a return in March. What a city!

Travel: Flew Southwest for the first time and can see why they are doing good. The plane left Midway on time with a very polite, happy crew. On the return trip, the plane was a half hour late getting to Las Vegas. The big difference from other airlines was SW was upfront about the delay and gave the reason and how long it would be. Another reason I would fly SW was their ticketing. They had over 20 people handling ticketing and baggage. We arrived 2 hours early and was able to get to the gate with an hour to spare. I was also glad to see the security at the airport (Las Vegas) was designed better then when we were there last year in October. One lesson learned the hard way about flying SW, which might be helpful to other first time SW flyers, is they board by three groups (A,B,C). Depending on when and where you get your boarding pass, you may end up with any of the groups. They have all three groups at the ticketing, gate and machines; so you maybe better off going to the gate and waiting for the personnel to start issuing boarding passes. Group A and half of B will have seats together. We were at the back of group B and the only seats left where in the middle.

Gambling: I still have not come home a winner yet like my wife. I am the one who reads the books, practices all year long and memorize the tables. It is her constant laughing that gets me. Anyway, she still doesn't make more than I lose, so I am trying to get her to play more while I layout by the pool. I just need to learn to like romance books.

Comps: After many years to Las Vegas, I have found a casino which I like to play at. I went on-line and signed up for a players card (Barbary Coast). I gambled for two days (about 8 hours total) and asked for a dinner that night. They didn't hesitate to comp the dinner. On the last day I was there, I talked to the pit boss about my play. He said they do not have a point rating system, but log how much you buy in for and how long the play was for. It seemed very informal and was up to the pit boss (if that is what they are) as to what and how much on comps. They actually prefer you tell them what you want instead of them giving you something. I would say if you are going to play, get a card to be rated. On the same note, don't gamble more than you normally would just to get a free room and meals (chasing comps). Be polite when asking for comps and be realistic in your request. I was never once made to feel bad about asking. I also made it a point to know the dealers and bosses, which helps when the time comes to ask for comps. I do not bet big, so that is why I was gambling at one casino. I lost more then the meal cost, but it was nice to walk right in to eat. Skipping a 45 minute wait and have anything we wanted. The key to comps. is to ASK!

Food: We tried Grand Lux because of the review from this site. It was great and thanks to all who took the time to recommend it. I had a little trouble convincing my wife (Cheesecake Factory nut), but she liked it so much we went there twice. Now I don't know which she likes better, but either choice is great. Same huge portions at both places. Am I wrong or would they sell more desert if they scaled back the meals? Ate at the Palms buffet and that was very good. The downside was just getting there (off the strip).

Entertainment: Playing at the Barbary Coast put me in the right spot and at the right time to enjoy Big Elvis twice. I had a great time watching him perform and would recommend it like so many others on this site. Went to two comedy shows and we like the Trop over Harrah's. At both we had two for one tickets and the comedians were funny. The Trop won out for the smaller seating. We like to meet people and the Trop offers a better area to talk before the show. They make it easier, because you are sitting closer then your airplane seat-mate. Another reason for player cards, we have a Harrah's card and have received free buffet plus two for one comedy show tickets. We have never used the card for gambling yet. We also saw Edwin McCain at the House of Blues. The sound and show were excellent. I would go see another show there again. Just watch out for the $5.50 12 ounce beers.

Weather: It was in the mid 60's during the day and cloudy. At night it would drop into the 50's, but not cold enough for me to wish I had a coat. Saturday and Sunday it actually rained in the morning. Well they think it is rain. I say if you need to measure the amount to the nearest 2nd place decimal point, you can't call it raining!

I only played pai gow poker. I would buy in for $300 and play $25/hand. Pai gow poker does not have a high expected loss per hour as other table games (e.g. blackjack, craps), so playing $25/hand will not build up the comps. quickly. I have read in books and magazines that casinos would rate 40 percent on the expected loss. Pai gow has a expected loss of one hand an hour, so I figured comps. at $10/hour. I could have received another meal on my last day, but I turned it down because I was leaving in a couple of hours. I also asked what this play would rate for free rooms, and was told I could get one night free if I was staying at the casino. Next time I would try staying at the casino and charging meals to the room, then before check-out talk to a casino host about what would be comped. My free meals was $52 plus the drinks we had, which I would add another $15 (retail of course). It is close to my $10/hour for 8 hours of play estimate. I just figure I would normally have gambled this much, so anything extra I can get is a bonus. I know other casinos will not rate pai gow poker players unless they were betting at least $20/hand. Barbary Coast said they will rate any play, and that is what the comps. will be based on. One time my wife and I sat down and they would consider our two bets as one. I dropped my bet down to $15/hand while my wife was betting $10/hand (it was the only way I could get her to play at a $10 table). Hope I answered your question.